Pre-sale Algarrobo blanco — Prosopis alba — White Carob

Description

Product highlights

• Botanical name: Prosopis alba

• Common names: Algarrobo blanco, white carob, algarrobo

• Habit: Medium to large perennial tree (native to Argentina — Gran Chaco / dry plains)

• Sun: Full sun (loves wide open, sunny spots)

• Soil: Tolerant of poor, compacted and saline soils; prefers well-draining sites

• Hardiness: Extremely drought-tolerant once established; tolerates seasonal flooding and poor soils

• Time to first seed production: Several years (varies by climate & care)

• Uses: Reforestation, windbreaks, agroforestry, shade, bee forage (excellent for honey), livestock fodder, edible pod flour (algarroba)

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Long description — story & vibe

Meet the algarrobo blanco: the tough, generous tree of the drylands. It’s the kind of plant that shows up to the party and quietly does all the useful things — fixes nitrogen, shelters animals, feeds bees, stabilizes soils, and gives sweet, caramel-like pods that people and livestock have used for generations. Whether you want to restore a degraded patch of campo, add a long-lived windbreak to your farm, or experiment with native edible flours, Prosopis alba is a classic choice.

These seeds come from responsibly sourced stock and are perfect for nurseries, permaculture projects, rural plantings, or anyone wanting a rugged, low-maintenance tree with cultural and ecological value. Plant a row and watch the land change.

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How to sow (practical & direct)

1. Seed prep (important): Algarrobo seeds have a very hard coat — mechanical scarification (file or nick the seed coat) or a hot-water soak dramatically improves germination. For hot-water: pour boiling water over seeds, let cool to warm and soak 12–24 hours. Drain before sowing.

2. Temperature: Germinates well at 20–30 °C (68–86 °F).

3. Depth: Sow shallowly — about 0.5–1 cm depth.

4. Medium: Use a free-draining seed mix with some sand; keep moist but not waterlogged.

5. Germination time: Usually 7–28 days after scarification/soaking, but can be variable.

6. Transplant: Harden off seedlings and transplant when they have a robust root system. Space 6–10 m for full-size trees in agroforestry; closer for living fences or nursery rows.

7. Care: Deep watering during establishment (first 1–2 years) helps root development. After established, very low irrigation needs. Prune young trees to form strong trunks if you plan timber/structure.

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Uses & benefits

• Ecosystem: Nitrogen-fixing — improves soil fertility and helps companion crops.

• Agroforestry: Windbreaks, shade for livestock and crops, soil stabilizer.

• Food & forage: Pods are historically used as animal fodder and can be processed into flour (“algarroba”) for human food or sweets.

• Apiculture: Excellent nectar/pollen source — beekeepers prize algarrobos for honey production.

• Cultural/landscape: Iconic tree in rural Argentina — long-lived and sculptural.

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Pests, risks & notes

• Generally hardy and low-maintenance; young seedlings can be browsed by livestock — protect them until established.

• In non-native regions, some Prosopis species have invasive potential — check local regulations before planting outside native range.

• For safe human consumption of pod flour, follow traditional processing and local food-safety guidance.

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Packaging, shipping & pre-sale info

• Item type: PRE-SALE.

• Estimated shipping: From around February 10th, combined with other pre-sale items.

• Packaging: Labeled seed packets to preserve viability.

• Shipping costs:

  • USA: USD 10

  • International: USD 30

⚠️ PRE-SALE ITEM — estimated shipping starting around February 10th (shipped together with other pre-sales).